BRIDGETON — A man is shot and killed in plain sight. And, without fail, someone at the scene of the crime who witnessed it claims they don’t know what happened.

Or maybe, since they know what’s good for them, they’re keeping their mouth shut.

“That’s always a problem in law enforcement,” said Cumberland County Sheriff Robert Austino. “There is a fear in people.”

In a continuing series addressing Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly’s 15-point plan to take on violence and crime in the city, South Jersey Sunday explores the “no-snitching” culture and what it means for local law enforcement and the residents who want to help.

In theory, to not snitch means those who know relevant information pertaining to a crime don’t speak up and tell law enforcement.

It’s partially a code of the streets and it keeps people quiet for fear of retribution. There are documented deaths of those who knew too much and spoke out.

“People have been brainwashed by the culture to simply ignore their civic duty,” said Bridgeton Police Chief Mark Ott.

Of the 15 points introduced here last month, the means of reporting crime anonymously include a tip line and computer-based information sharing service.

According to the actual 15-point plan, the goal of the tip line is “communication with the community” and creating an “anonymous way of conveying crime information.”

It’s to be accomplished through various online social media means and websites of the city, Bridgeton Police Department and the Crimestopper organization.

Bridgeton Police and Drupal Management Systems would lead the tip-line effort.

Ott said the police department is working on getting a dedicated tip line installed, as “people constantly call with information.”

What’s more, many want to withhold their names when offering up details to the police.

To the same end, a WeTip hotline was announced here in August 2010 that gives residents a way to anonymously report criminal or suspicious activity.

Bridgeton housing complexes pay all related expenses of WeTip membership. Rewards are also offered through WeTip and the police department sometimes does the same.

“In our nation these days, we have a no-snitch atmosphere. We want to make sure no one is threatened by sharing information on crimes,” Kelly said at the time.

Austino said “on-the-job training” accounts for most of how his officers learn to handle reluctant witnesses or suspects.

“Most of the time, people are cooperative,” he added.

The Sheriff’s Office has its own tip line and it has been very useful, according to Austino, who said they frequently receive calls and information.

Likely new to many readers is Drupal, a computer-based content management network that boasts more than 630,000 users and developers. The program is free to download and programmers continue with updates as more users pick up on it.

“If you’re not building it, you’ve probably already used it,” said Alex Urevick-Ackelsberg, partner and CEO of Philadelphia-based ZivTech, LLC.

Also an active developer, he noted websites of the White House, The Economist and The New York Times are running the content management system. Ebay is also moving toward it.

Part of the 15-point plan is the Bridgeton Community Web Site and Bridgeton Internet Homestead Project, both running with Drupal.

The city would be an investment of sorts so a similar Drupal effort could expand elsewhere, Kelly said. Michael Caudy, an active user and developer, has offered to manage the network for three years.

There are still obstacles to overcome before being implemented here – initial training with programs and materials, building about 25,000 sites, laptop computers and Internet access,

Though a rather large figure on its own, Urevick-Ackelsberg noted it’s just 25,000 pieces of content and “Drupal works on very large sites.”

Widespread Internet access and laptops to log on with are a prerequisite for the expansive project.

Kelly noted that through Comcast’s “Internet Essentials,” the company is “considering” a way to provide laptops for free.

Comcast is not involved with Drupal but could tie into the program. Their program offers students and families Internet access for $9.95 a month.